"I support you in everything": a qualitative study on maternal perception about their skating daughters

Abstract Aim: The study aimed to understand the perceptions of mothers about the practice of figure skating by their daughters aged between 8 and 13 years old. Methods: Eight mothers of skaters belonging to a youth competition team were interviewed in a qualitative study, which used narratives as the methodological approach. The interview was structured with open-ended questions and the full transcriptions were analyzed through content analysis. Results: The results of the three categories of analysis - "Skating and competing: the first influences"; "Family models and maternal participation"; and "Behavior of parents in sporting events" - showed that mothers perceived they provide emotional and motivational support during their daughters' sports practice and that they do not exert pressure for results. To not recognize negative behaviors could be negative to the skaters and may be the result of an inconscient mechanism or the need of mothers to have socially accepted behavior. They also stressed anxiety during competitions and reported strategies to cope with it. Thus, it is important to raise awareness of this situation so mothers can have more resources to manage this fragile balance. Conclusions: The way mothers participate in their children's sports life and express their support influences their sports practice; therefore, to understand how mothers perceive their involvement in their daughters' sportive practice is important to develop best practices to guarantee the quality of the interaction between mothers-children and healthy psychological development.

O impacto do esporte competitivo na escolha alimentar: narrativas de atletas de ginástica artística masculina / The impact of competitive sport on food choices: narratives of male artistic gymnastics athletes / El impacto del deporte competitivo en la elección alimentaria: narrativas de atletas de gimnasia artística masculina

Esportes que supervalorizam a estética e o baixo peso corporal são indicados como os com mais incidência de comportamentos alimentares de risco. Diante disto, investigou-se o impacto do esporte competitivo na escolha alimentar de atletas de ginástica artística masculina e, para tanto, foram entrevistados quatro ginastas adultos do gênero masculino. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com o uso das narrativas como abordagem metodológica. As entrevistas foram obtidas por meio de questões abertas e analisadas à luz da análise de conteúdo, evidenciando dois núcleos temáticos: "regras e estética" e "alimento como merecimento". Os resultados indicam que as escolhas alimentares destes atletas no período competitivo, são desprovidas de prazer, norteadas pela preocupação com a estética, pelo controle exercido pelo técnico e por autorregras. Após a competição, as escolhas aparecem relacionadas ao prazer, livre de regras e vistas como recompensa. Portanto, conclui-se a vulnerabilidade deste grupo às escolhas alimentares prejudiciais à saúde.

In sports which overvalue aesthetics and low body weight athletes have a higher incidence of risky eating behavior. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of the sport environment on food choices of male artistic gymnastics athletes. Four adult male artistic gymnastics athletes were interviewed. It is a cross-sectional study, which used narratives as the methodological approach. The interviews were obtained through open-ended questions and were analyzed though the content analysis, evidencing two thematic nuclei: rules and aesthetic and food as merit. The results indicate that the food choices of these athletes, during the competitive period, are devoid of pleasure, guided by the concern about aesthetics, controlled by the coaches and self-rules. After competition, choices appear to be related to pleasure, free of rules and seen as reward. Therefore, we conclude the vulnerability of this group to harmful food choices.

Deportes que sobrevaloran la estética y el bajo peso corporal conducen a mayor incidencia de comportamientos alimentarios de riesgo. Se investigó el impacto del deporte competitivo en la elección alimentaria de atletas de gimnasia artística. Se entrevistaron cuatro gimnastas adultos, del género masculino. En este estudio transversal, se utilizó las narrativas como propuesta metodológica. Las entrevistas fueron obtenidas a través de preguntas abiertas y fueron analizadas a la luz del análisis de contenido, evidenciando dos núcleos temáticos: reglas y estética y alimento como merecimiento. Los resultados indican que las elecciones alimentarias de estos atletas, en el período competitivo, están desprovistas de placer, orientadas por la preocupación por la estética, el control ejercido por el técnico y las autorreglas. Después de la competición, las elecciones se relacionan con el placer, libre de reglas y consideradas como recompensa. Por lo tanto, se concluye la vulnerabilidad de este grupo a las opciones alimenticias perjudiciales para la salud.